New Orleans Jazz - an un-official / insiders guide to a Southern paradise

After the Katrina - the city is coming back. New Orleans is sill one of the most beautiful city in world and now there is more to see - the aftermath.

BUT - WATCH OUT - there are hundreds of thugs roaming the city killing people. The killings are no longer gang versus gang violence. The politicians have been useless with this issue. Musicians and artists are now targets as well as anyone at anytime.

The French Quarter is still the somewhat safe - but on any night in the city you can hear gunfire. One some days there are more murders of Americans in New Orleans then there are in the Middle East war. Come visit but watch out. We certainly need the money.

Frenchmen Streett This is the scene where most of the locals go now. The tourist like it because with one cab ride they have a choice on numerous clubs that cater to all taste within a few safe walking blocks of each other. Frenchmen Street is near the quater but not walkable from the large hotels.

New Orleans Ace a new web site dedicated to New Orleans jazz music and dancing.

Off Beat Magazine Covers NOLA's music beat. They have great writers and they know the music. If you like New Orleans music - subscribe to this zine and read every page! If you are traveling into the city - get one of these at most music stores - it is FREE.

Some of our tips to hear Jazz when your are visiting the Big Easy.

The New Orleans French Quarter is a great place to hear excellent jazz. But you have to know where to go. The best known traditional New Orleans Jazz venue is Preservation Hall. You will hear the real thing I promise. You will probably have to wait to get inside. Don't be in a hurry. Beginners are welcome. If you go after 9:30pm you will not have to wait too much. A good way to hear New Oleans Jazz is to take a nap in the afternoon so you will be able to stay up late.

Another good place to hear good musicians is at the corner of Bourbon and Conti, Club Can-Can. 340 Bourbon 553-2372 - hear traditional New Orleans jazz Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m

The Palm Court - a good place to eat and hear Dixieland Jazz is not a easy to find as one would hope. This is it. 1204 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 , ph 504-525-0200 - May be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Donna's Bar And Grill Here you will find great New Orleans brass street bands. The BBQ is also good. 800 N. Rampart, (next to the New Orleans French Quarter - be careful in this neighborhood - watch over your shoulder.)

New Orleans Jazz Club The world's oldest jazz club, one of the greatest clubs in the world.

Off Beat Magazine Covering NOLA's music beat. They have a great links page.

William Ransom Hogan Archive of New Orleans Jazz
Tulane University's pile of jazz stuff for the jazz historian.

WWOZ Webcasting great Louisiana music from the greatest radio station in New Orleans, in fact, the greatest radio station in the world.

click here for more on Louisiana music.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - The biggest festival in Louisiana. They let me exhibit my work sometimes. Many people plan their life around this festival. Last year I heard Pete Fountain and was blown away - there's a reason he is a jazz cliche. Pete is a colorful character and very well liked in the community. He should be more appreciated for his music. He is one person that I would have liked to be good friends with.

Bobby Lounge - Bobby enjoys writing songs about the south and about people with robust lifestyles. He chooses to avoid the limelight when not performing on stage.

Louisiana State Museum Jazz Collection has photographs, audio recordings and musical instruments from the collections of the Louisiana State Museum. Primarily dealing with traditional New Orleans jazz, the collections focus on photographs (including all of the Museum's images of Louis Armstrong) and audio recordings of musicians and bands that were primarily active in New Orleans, although many toured throughout the country and the world. The musical instruments span the makeup of a traditional New Orleans jazz band and include many examples from well-known musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Warren "Baby" Dodds, Bix Beiderbecke and others.

Tom Morgan's Jazz and Blues- a great site from a writer and radio producer (WWOZ-FM New Orleans)

Louisiana Music Factory is in New Orleans at 210 Decatur Street (across from House of Blues) in the French Quarter.

Jazzology = The George H. Buck, Jr. Jazz Foundation - a great place for real New Orleans Jazz,